“Taking time away from team activities to manage her back” was how Trinity Rodman’s agent, Mike Senkowski, described the Washington Spirit forward’s injury last month. The update was surprising, especially since Rodman had returned to action following a stretch of irregular appearances. Now, with some time having passed and the USWNT back in action, the question remains: what’s her current status? Well, Emma Hayes might just have some answers.

Having announced a 24-player squad for the upcoming friendlies against China PR and Jamaica, the former Chelsea boss was quizzed about the absence of the star forward. Unfortunately, even she couldn’t offer the update that fans were hoping to hear.

“I don’t know when she will be back, but I know that Trin is being given all the support by everyone, and we very much hope for a speedy recovery,” Hayes said during the presser, as compiled by ESPN. “I think, with regards to the issue in her back, she wants to get to a place where it doesn’t keep coming back. So, I think these are the right steps for her.”

Notably, Rodman’s initial injury resurfaced shortly after her gold medal win at the Paris Olympics. The Washington Spirit forward left the pitch in a wheelchair during a regular-season match in 2024. While she returned only a few days later in the final days of the season, she complained about her back again after the NWSL Championship final loss to Orlando Pride, even going so far as to say, “I wasn’t the Trin I wanted to be today.” But that was not the worst of it. After a March game against Bay FC, which the Spirit won 2-0, she confessed, “Honestly, I don’t think my back will ever be 100 percent.”  

“It’s kind of an issue of it’s not one specific thing; it’s just the way that my back’s structured. And it’s more so management than like a curable fix,” further explained Rodman. That explained why she missed over three international windows, including the SheBelieves Cup, finally returning this year during the April camp for the opening match of the doubleheader against Brazil. And scoring a goal within the first five minutes, she even faked a back injury as part of her celebration. She, however, was nowhere to be seen in the second leg.

Since then, she has only taken the field on one occasion for the Spirit. But Hayes said, “She’s doing really well.” “We speak regularly. There’s certainly been a multidisciplinary approach to supporting Trin — that’s both club country and the NWSL. So, there’s good communication and support provided to her,” added the former WSL manager on Tuesday.

Be that as it may, it is sad to see that Rodman will again be forced to miss out on her nation’s World Cup preparations. Speaking of which, who does Hayes have in her place for the matches against China PR and Jamaica?

Work continues for USWNT despite the absence of Trinity Rodman

Regular names like Lynn Biyendolo, Catarina Macario, and Alyssa Thompson are the obvious ones on the roster. Others include youngsters Michelle Cooper, Emma Sears, and Ally Sentnor. But to everyone’s surprise, Hayes called up Gisele Thompson not as a wingback but rather as a wing forward, probably hoping to see her collaborate with her elder sister Alyssa.

While it’s sad to hear about the absence of Rodman, fans are looking forward to the much-anticipated return of Naomi Girma. The defender had also missed out on a couple of windows before. However, having successfully healed her calf issue, she even came back into action for Chelsea, winning the domestic treble following her $1 million move in January.

“You cannot underestimate the importance of players like Naomi Girma to this team,” Hayes remarked with excitement, insisting that the 24-year-old’s presence will add the much-needed leadership quality within the team. “She’s the vice-captain in the team…someone who is growing into that role. I know she’s missed [being with the USWNT) terribly,” added Emma.

So, one can say it will be a bittersweet camp. Either way, the talking point is to hope Trinity Rodman is back in the mix for the next match.